English native speakers, please help!
"The average citizen was sick and tired of anarchy and disorder. He did not care who ruled him provided the new master gave him a chance to live quietly and without the noise of eternal street riots." This is from a text about the history of the Roman Empire, the author is Hendrik Willem Van Loon. How to understand the word “provided” here? What's the grammar function of this word here?
Thanks a lot!!!

Question

English native speakers, please help!
"The average citizen was sick and tired of anarchy and disorder. He did not care who ruled him provided the new master gave him a chance to live quietly and without the noise of eternal street riots."   This is from a text about the history of the Roman Empire, the author is Hendrik Willem Van Loon. How to understand the word “provided” here? What's the grammar function of this word here? 
Thanks a lot!!!

Answer

blackhawkwaltz,

Native speakers to the rescue!  lol

I believe that the word provide is "acting" as a conjunction in your sentence. 
It has the meaning of..........IF: on the condition that: with the understanding

You may go, provided you have paid the fine in cash.
The subscriber may claim compensation under article 2.5 of the contract,  provided benefits are not claimed under any article of the policy.

Answer

He did not care who ruled him, as long as the new master gave him a chance to live quietly...
or
If the new master gave him a chance to live quietly, etc., he did not care who ruled him [which master ruled him]
Example:
I can give you the money, provided you sign this paper. = If you sign the paper, I can give you the money.

Answer

I think it means with the provision that he can live quietly. To provide is to give something, in this case the ability to live a quiet life.

Answers · 3

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